Orthodox Catholic Church

Greek LGBT+ couples were preparing to tie the knot on Friday, one day after a historic parliamentary vote made same-sex civil marriage legal, the culmination of decades of campaigning for equal rights.

Archbishop Ieronymos, the leader of the Orthodox Church of Greece, supposedly took a relatively soft stance on the issue of same-sex marriage.

Trifon Zarezan, also known as Vintner's Day, is a cherished Bulgarian national holiday celebrated on February 14th, coinciding with Saint Valentine's Day. While Saint Valentine's Day is widely associated with romance and love, Trifon Zarezan holds a unique place in Bulgarian culture, honoring Saint Tryphon, the patron saint of vineyards, winegrowers, and gardeners.

Lawmakers begin a debate Wednesday on a landmark bill to legalize same-sex marriage that would make Greece the first Orthodox Christian country to do so.

The Valentine's Day session in parliament follows vocal opposition and protests from the church but also a shift in public opinion which - while still divided - is narrowly supportive of the reform.

Saint Photios the Great was one of the Ecumenical Patriarchs of Constantinople in the middle of the 9th century, and his feast day is celebrated on February 6th. Together with other great spiritual leaders of the Church, he demonstrates through his writings and teachings that knowledge can be a powerful instrument for proclaiming and expressing the faith of the Church.

On February 1, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Tryphon, a revered healing saint. Traditionally, Bulgarians observed the symbolic spring pruning of vines on February 14, known as "Tryphon Zarezan" in honor of the saint. Folklore depicts Saint Tryphon as the guardian of vineyards, revered by winegrowers, winemakers, and innkeepers.

In 2019 the Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Constantinople and Alexandria recognised the independence of the newly formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Since then, Moscow has attempted to undermine not only the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but also the Patriarch of Alexandria, which claims exclusive jurisdiction over Africa and accuses the Russian church of meddling in the continent.

The proposed bill on same-sex marriage and adoption was posted for public consultation on Wednesday by the State Ministry.

The ministry's website (opengov.gr) uploaded the bill under the title "Equality of civil marriage, amendment of the Civil Code and other provisions," which will remain for public consultaton until January 31.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis defended his government's plans to legalize same-sex civil marriages during a cabinet session on Wednesday, presenting the legislation as a step towards greater social equality.

The government has ruled out the possibility of conducting a referendum on the matter of marriage and childbearing for same-sex couples. 

In an interview on Skai radio on Friday, spokesman Pavlos Marinakis emphasized that while the government respects the role and views of the Church, it remains committed to implementing its policy program.